order, we may assuage the factions, we may defeat the machinations against the public welfare.

12. Seeing then we have so many good arguments and motives inducing to pray for kings, it is no wonder that, to back them, we may also allege the practice of the church, continually in all times performing this duty in its most sacred offices, especially in the celebration of the holy communion.

St. Paul indeed, when he saith, I exhort first of all, that prayers be made,' doth chiefly impose this duty on Timothy, or supposeth it incumbent on the pastors of the church, to take special care that prayers be made for this purpose, and offered up in the church jointly by all Christians: and accordingly the ancient Christians, as Tertullian doth assure us, did “always pray for the emperors, that God would grant them a long life, a secure reign, a safe family, valiant armies, a faithful senate, a loyal people, a quiet world, and whatever they, as men or as emperors, could wish."* Thus, addeth he, even for their persecutors, and in the very pangs of their sufferings, they did not fail to practise. Likewise of the church in his time St. Chrysostom telleth us, that "all communicants did know how every day, both at even and morning, they did make supplication for all the world, and for the emperor, and for all that are in authority."+

And in the Greek liturgies (the composure whereof is fathered on St. Chrysostom) there are divers prayers interspersed for the emperors, couched in terms very pregnant and respectful.

If the offices of the Roman church, and of the churches truckling under it, in latter times, shall seem more defective or sparing in this point of service, the reason may be, for that a

Precantes sumus semper pro omnibus imperatoribus vitam illis prolixam, imperium securum, domum tutam, exercitus fortes, senatum fidelem, populum probum, orbem quietum, quæcunque hominis et Cæsaris vota sunt.-Tert. Apol. cap. 30.

Hoc agite, boni præsules, extorquete animam Deo supplicantem pro imperatore.—Ibid.

† Καὶ τοῦτο ἴσασιν οἱ μύσται, πῶς καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν γίνεται καὶ ἐν ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐν πρωΐα· πῶς ὑπὲρ παντὸς τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ βασιλέων, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων, ποιούμεθα τὴν δέησιν.—Chrys. in 1 Tim. ii. 1.

superlative regard to the Solar or Pontifical authority (as Pope Innocent III. distinguished) did obscure their devotion for the Lunar or Regal Majesty. But our church hath been abun dantly careful, that we should in most ample manner discharge this duty; having in each of her holy offices directed us to pray for our king in expressions most full, hearty, and lively. She hath indeed been charged as somewhat lavish or overliberal of her devotions in this case. But it is a good fault, and we little need fear over-doing in observance of a precept so very reasonable, and so important; supposing that we have a due care to join our heart with the church's words, and to the frequency of prayers for our prince do confer a suitable fervency. If we be not dead, or merely formal, we can hardly be too copious in this kind of devotion; reiteration of words can do no harm, being accompanied with the renovation of our desires. Our text itself will bear us out in such a practice; the Apostle therein by variety of expression appearing solicitous, that abundance of prayers for kings should be offered in the church, and no sort of them omitted.

There are so many general inducements to this duty at all times; and there are beside divers particular reasons enforcing it now, in the present state and posture of things.

Times of trouble, of danger, of fear, of darkness and per plexity, of distraction and distress, of guilt and deserved wrath, are most seasonable for recourse to the divine help and mercy in prayer.*

And are not ours such? are they not much like to those of which the psalmist saith, They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course?' or like those of which our Lord spake, when there was on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which were coming on the earth?'

Are not the days gloomy, so that no human providence can see far, no wisdom can descry the issue of things?

Is it not a very unsettled world, wherein all the public

Inops senatus auxilii humani ad deos populum ac vota vertit.➡ Liv, iii, 7. v. 16.

frames are shaken almost off the hinges, and the minds of men extremely discomposed with various passions; with fear, suspicion, anger, discontent, and impatience? How from dissensions in opinion do violent factions and feuds rage; the hearts of men boiling with fierce animosities, and being exasperated against one another, beyond any hopes or visible means of reconcilement !

Are not the fences of discipline cast down? Is there any conscience made of violating laws? Is not the dread of authority exceedingly abated, and all government overborne by unbridled licentiousness?

How many adversaries are there, bearing ill will to our Sion!' How many turbulent, malicious, crafty spirits, eagerly bent, and watching for occasion to subvert the church, to disturb the state, to introduce confusion in all things! How many Edomites, who say of Jerusalem, (both ecclesiastical and civil,) 'Down with it, down with it even to the ground!'

Have we not great reason to be fearful of God's just displeasure, and that heavy judgments will be poured on us for our manifold heinous provocations and crying sins; for the prodigious growth of atheism, infidelity, and profaneness; for the rife practice of all impieties, iniquities, and impurities, with most impudent boldness, or rather with outrageous insolence; for the extreme dissoluteness in manners; the gross neglect or contempt of all duties; the great stupidity and coldness of people generally as to all concerns of religion; for the want of religious awe toward God, of charity toward our neighbor, of respect to our superiors, of sobriety in our conversation; for our ingratitude for many great mercies, and incorrigibleness under many sore chastisements, our insensibleness of many plain warnings, loudly calling us to repentance?

Is not all the world about us in combustion, cruel wars raging every where, and Christendom weltering in blood? and although at present, by God's mercy, we are free, who knows but that soon, by God's justice, the neighboring flames may

catch our houses?

In fine, is not our case palpably such, that for any good composure or reinstatement of things in good order, for upholding truth and sound doctrine, for reducing charity and peace, for

reviving the spirit of piety, and bringing virtue again into request; for preserving state and church from ruin; we can have no confidence or reasonable hope, but in the good providence and merciful succor of Almighty God: 'beside whom there is no Saviour;' who alone is the hope of Israel, and Saviour thereof in time of trouble?' we now having great cause to pray with our Lord's disciples in the storm, Lord, save us, we perish.'

On such considerations, and others whereof I suppose you are sufficiently apprehensive, we now especially are obliged earnestly to pray for our king, that God in mercy would preserve his royal person, and inspire his mind with light, and endue his heart with grace, and in all things bless him to us, to be a repairer of our breaches, and a restorer of paths to dwell in; so that under him we may lead a quiet life in all godliness and honesty.'

I have done with the first duty (prayer for kings;) on which I have the rather so largely insisted, because it is very seasonable to our present condition.

II. The other (thanksgiving) I shall but touch, and need not perhaps to do more. For,

1. As to general inducements, they are the same, or very like to those which are for prayer; it being plain that whatever we are concerned to pray for, when we want it, that we are bound to thank God for, when he vouchsafeth to bestow it. And if common charity should dispose us to resent the good of princes with complacence; if their welfare be a public benefit; if ourselves are interested in it, and partake great advantages thereby; if in equity and ingenuity we are bound to seek it; then, surely, we are much engaged to thank God, the bountiful donor of it, for his goodness in conferring it.

2. As for particular motives, suiting the present occasion, I need not by information or impression of them farther to stretch your patience; seeing you cannot be ignorant or insensible of the grand benefits by the divine goodness bestowed on our king, and on ourselves, which this day we are bound with all grateful acknowlegement to commemorate. Wherefore, instead of

reciting trite stories, and urging obvious reasons, (which a small recollection will suggest to you,) I shall only request you to join with me in the practice of the duty, and in acclamation of praise to God. Even so

Blessed be God, who hath given to us so gracious and benign a prince, (the experiments of whose clemency and goodness no history can parallel,) to sit on the throne of his blessed father, and renowned ancestors.

Blessed be God, who hath protected him in so many encounters, hath saved him from so many dangers and snares, hath delivered him from so great troubles.

Blessed be God, who in so wonderful a manner, by such miraculous trains of providence, did reduce him to his country, and reinstate him in the possession of his rights; thereby vindicating his own just providence, declaring his salvation, and openly showing his righteousness in the sight of all people.'

.

Blessed be God, who in him and with him did restore to us our ancient good constitution of government, our laws and liberties, our peace and quiet; rescuing us from lawless usurpations and tyrannical yokes, from the insultings of error and iniquity, from horrible distractions and confusions.

Ever blessed be God, who hath turned the captivity of Sion;' hath raised our church from the dust, and re-established the sound doctrine, the decent order, the wholesome discipline thereof; hath restored true religion with its supports, advantages, and encouragements.

Blessed be the Lord, who hath granted us to continue these sixteen years in the peaceable fruition of those blessings.

Praised be God, who hath not cast out our prayer, nor turned his mercy from us.'

Praised be God, who hath turned our heaviness into joy, hath put off our sackcloth, and girded us with gladness.'

Let our mouth speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.'

'The Lord liveth, and blessed be our rock; and let the God of our salvation be exalted.'